NOTES FOR VISITORS: Welcome to the Alaska Outdoors Supersite forums! The contents of our forums are viewable by anyone, and may be read by clicking the forum headings below. To post in the forums, you must register at THIS LINK. To upgrade or change your membership, please login and select Upgrade > Supporting Membership. Your account will now be managed separately from the forum system. Forum login is separate from account management but shares the same username and password.

IMPORTANT: If you cannot log-in, please reset your password using our new 6 character format through THIS LINK and click Forgot Password. An email message with a reset link will be sent to your email address.

The biggest sale in the history of our company! 40% off everything in the store. That's literally hundreds of books, maps and DVDs focused on Alaska hunting, fishing, and other outdoor topics! We're making a major change in the store, and we need to clear out all our inventory. This is the lowest price you've seen on these Alaska outdoor books, maps and DVDs. Take your time and look through our inventory, because once it's gone, it's gone! This sale is limited to the stock we have on the shelves. Everything is shipped USPS Priority, so if you order now, we can get it to you in time for Christmas. https://alaskaoutdoorssupersite.com/alaska-store/

Early Caribou Hunt?

I've been reading the ODD forums for some time but this is my first post.

I have the opportunity for a caribou hunt around August 15-22 and have been researching likely locations. Was just wondering what the experience on this forum thinks, what is the best area for a mid-August caribou hunt?

caribou hunt locations

I am thinking about a caribou hunt this fall as well. The conventional wisdom seems to be to head to Kotz and hunt from there. I am a little leary of that plan, since i have heard some fishy tales about the air taxis and guides up there.

The Mulchatna herd has shrunk quite a bit in recent years, but I am actually considering hunting it out of Bethel. Going to Fairbanks and hunting from there is another option as well.

Early Caribou

I would point you away from an early hunt in Unit 23. Our caribou does not cross over the Brooks until the weather tells them to and the past 3 years has been strange at best. (Thanks Global Warming!) We have animals but you would have to head way up near Gates to find them. Send me a PM and I can steer you towards some pilots who do early work that far up if your interested.

Options

First are you resident or nonresident. I think the kotz hunt these days is a bad choice, even though you might see a good amount of smaller animals. If you want record animals you have to hunt the penisula herd. If you want a little more remote hunt, try one of the other villages in the WACH territory. If you want an adventure try hunting the north slope. There are many options, budget has alot to do with it.

Bou...

Teg,
consider a flyout out of Delta or Fairbanks up into the headwaters of the Salcha/Goodpaster River. That's fortymile herd country and there are good bulls to be had. I've heard guys have had great luck in there.
Good black bear country too.
The trick is to get booked early with an air transporter.
You're wise to start planning now.

Response

Thanks for all the input.

I'm NR but have hunted Alaska before (moose in 21A). I do not need record book bull but would like to see many animals and have many bulls to choose from. Right now I'm leaning toward flying out of Bettles and hunting 26A on the North Slope. It's a bit pricey but seems to offer the best fit with my early season schedule.

Terry, what did you mean by "an adventure" on the North Slope?

Anyone with good transporter recommendations for this region/location can send me a PM or email.

Adventure

Most hunts are an adventure of some sort. Hunting the north side of the brooks, is an adventure, with big grayling as a bonus. If your that far up north why not take a flight over and check out the arctic circle. Timing has alot to due with the hunt also, WACH is normally way far to north to hunt out of Kotz, I think the 40 mile herd is a registration hunt. I think im going to drive up during the same period your talking about and flying out of happy valley. Aug can be a great time to drive the haul rd. A Hunt out of bettles problably would be alot of fun to. Comes down to money, and how much time you have.